It is Tuesday morning and Fiery Furnaces are playing through my speakers, mesmerizing me. They are unpredictable and wacky and make me want to go play on the art or hide behind trees in Volunteer Park. They will lull you with a mellow beat then freak you out with space alien sounds or some kind of aboriginal walkabout craziness. The album I'm listening to is Bitter Tea. Check it out. I'm a sucker for new music. New indie music, specifically. New jazz, emo, and most new rock elicits little more than a yawn from me. What is Tom Waits classified as? He never makes me yawn.
Have Kevin Barnes help with a later Beatles album and I suppose you'd have something close to Fiery Furnaces.
Since my last post... I watched JESUS CAMP. As I told Nanette, "Saved" is to "Jesus Camp" what "Scary Movie" was to the entire "Friday the 13th" series. It is truly a horror movie. But it's interesting because if you play the commentary you'll find that the directors take a very unbiased stance. Is it just because I'm from LiberalLand that I assume they have an agenda? In their commentary they state only that this was a very good topic, with great personalities to have as subjects, and that they added the not-so-far-right radio commentator to give the movie depth and controversy. Once you consider that the movie focuses entirely on Evangelical Christians, sometimes even Pentacostals, you get why they all seem more extreme than what you thought was the normal Christian following in the midwest. There's a million hypocritical Christians out there - the movie subjects, specifically the children, are not part of that group. They're hardcore! And the fun but probably very disconcerting part was the big scene with Ted Haggard, PRE paying-a-gay-prostitute-for-sex-and-meth Pastor Ted. The subtitle when Ted appears is about how he and Dubya talk every Monday morning on the phone (!!!). The commentary is post-arrest, and they do mention how they respected the kids more than the country's most famous pastor. It's an amazing documentary. The cinematography is great. If you love documentaries or horror movies or taking a peek into really bizarre subcultures you'll love this flick.
Ok I also watched The Departed on DVD. Great movie, great performances. I almost wish it hadn't been hyped so much because I expected something truly amazing. But like I said, it was great.
Friday night Jarad and I met Andrew M. and Victoria (from Adventuress, Lynx, Lady, etc.) at Sunset Bowl for Karaoke. Victoria and Jarad sang a few times. Karaoke there sucks, in my opinion. It's tiny, loud, and the DJ is an ass. No new songs, either. Saturday we went to Uwajimaya (first time for me) and must have spent 3 hours there. I reminisced days in Hawaii by buying ling hing mui gummi bears, passionfruit, rice crackers, starfruit and mochi ice cream. Jarad loved the mochi ice cream as I expected he would. The lilikoi made my mouth water just as it did every time I used to walk down the driveway at the flower farm at Kualoa Ranch, seeing the tree there, anticipating finding the fruit on the ground. I'm salivating now just thinking about it. I adore passionfruit. That passionfruit vine wraps around a tree that stands right next to the fake cafe featured in the movie "40 First Dates" if you saw that and can imagine a visual. Sunday we went to Salmon Bay for breakfast, picked Thadeus up from the airport, and then I went over to Andrew's hotel where we spent hours looking at really awesome digital shots of Antarctica and the Palmer - the icebreaker he's been crewing on. Andrew somehow found himself in The Future and at some point bought a laptop, iPod and digital camera, to my surprise. I'm hoping to hear more from him from now on. Of all the sailors who refuse to get on board with technology, I'm very glad he's no longer one of them.
Now I'm playing Lady Sovereign. She's making me too antsy to continue sitting here and typing.
Feed the Hungry?
Whoops that's NOT what presidents do. Did I really say that?
Mason has pointed out that this is definitely NOT what Bush is doing.
I have a car this week, so Jarad and I went out to breakfast before he had to be at work this morning. Breakfast is kind of "our thing" so that was fun. A good way to start a day before our stupid jobs. It's 5pm and he just called me to tell me there's a sort of moral boosting party at the big accounting firm he's temping for. He's at the top of a skyscraper downtown, looking through walls of glass at the Seattle skyline, drinking a martini. He sounded pretty happy with that scenario, which made me smile. Jarad's been almost giddy since he decided to go back to Texas. He loves Austin, and misses his friends and family very much. Winter in Seattle can be very depressing. It's too bad he's going to miss the glorious Seattle summer, but I won't be here anyway, and it sounds like his friends might have a hard time affording the trip.
I'll be working on a boat till early fall. I leave late March! So we're giving up our apartment and I think we'll both be happy to never live through another 6-month Northwest winter again.
Mason has pointed out that this is definitely NOT what Bush is doing.
I have a car this week, so Jarad and I went out to breakfast before he had to be at work this morning. Breakfast is kind of "our thing" so that was fun. A good way to start a day before our stupid jobs. It's 5pm and he just called me to tell me there's a sort of moral boosting party at the big accounting firm he's temping for. He's at the top of a skyscraper downtown, looking through walls of glass at the Seattle skyline, drinking a martini. He sounded pretty happy with that scenario, which made me smile. Jarad's been almost giddy since he decided to go back to Texas. He loves Austin, and misses his friends and family very much. Winter in Seattle can be very depressing. It's too bad he's going to miss the glorious Seattle summer, but I won't be here anyway, and it sounds like his friends might have a hard time affording the trip.
I'll be working on a boat till early fall. I leave late March! So we're giving up our apartment and I think we'll both be happy to never live through another 6-month Northwest winter again.
President's Day
In honor of all presidents past, I spent yesterday "cleaning house" and feeding the hungry. Actually I cleaned house literally. Not figuratively. And Jarad and I were "the hungry." I made pepperoni & cheese bread, baked drumsticks and chocolate chip cookies. A real comfort food kinda day I guess.
Our weekend never got more exciting. We finished watching the last season of Angel so now we're like "So what should we do?" Karaoke for Friday night had been canceled, and karaoke for Sunday night just wasn't in the cards for us. Too bad, too, because I read on myspace that Cass SANG! I've never heard her sing.
A girl that I was in Basic Training (Air Force) with 14 years ago found me on myspace and we've been chatting it up. I move so much. I don't have many friends from that far back. None from high school - though that suits me fine for the most part. I found a few people on myspace that I'd hung out with when I was 19, but we haven't hooked up yet. I stay in touch off and on with a good friend who lives in Ireland now, whom I hung out with a lot about 10 years ago... but besides that I guess my best friends are mostly people I spent time with in Hawaii. Nanette & Polly in particular.
Anyway I'm rambling. Oh yeah I think I DO have pneumonia! Yay!!! But deep breathing and inhaling fumes from boiling cups of Tiger-Balm water helps. Plus Jarad never got sick which is really fortunate. I'm listening to Brazilian Girls this morning and getting ready for work. Looking forward to quitting this job in a few weeks!
Our weekend never got more exciting. We finished watching the last season of Angel so now we're like "So what should we do?" Karaoke for Friday night had been canceled, and karaoke for Sunday night just wasn't in the cards for us. Too bad, too, because I read on myspace that Cass SANG! I've never heard her sing.
A girl that I was in Basic Training (Air Force) with 14 years ago found me on myspace and we've been chatting it up. I move so much. I don't have many friends from that far back. None from high school - though that suits me fine for the most part. I found a few people on myspace that I'd hung out with when I was 19, but we haven't hooked up yet. I stay in touch off and on with a good friend who lives in Ireland now, whom I hung out with a lot about 10 years ago... but besides that I guess my best friends are mostly people I spent time with in Hawaii. Nanette & Polly in particular.
Anyway I'm rambling. Oh yeah I think I DO have pneumonia! Yay!!! But deep breathing and inhaling fumes from boiling cups of Tiger-Balm water helps. Plus Jarad never got sick which is really fortunate. I'm listening to Brazilian Girls this morning and getting ready for work. Looking forward to quitting this job in a few weeks!
Slow weekend
We went to Glo's for breakfast today and I had the best biscuits and gravy I've ever had in my LIFE. Then I found some wool pants on sale at urban outfitters for $7.50. I know! You're probably saying "there's something at urban outfitters for under $25???" and yes there is - ugly brown wool pants. Go figure.
I have a killer cough. It feels like there is fluid in my lungs that refuses to evaporate or come out or just go away. It really sucks. Do I have pneumonia or something? I've had this cough for over a week and can't breathe deep without coughing upon exhalation. I had the same thing going on for 1 1/2 years after I developed chronic bronchitis. I suppose the key word there is CHRONIC. Then I took a yoga class a little over a year ago and focused on getting my breathing down better. I guess I'll have to do that again. My voice permanently became raspier after that first bronchial thing. Lately I sound like my aunts who've been smoking around 20 years each. Maybe later I can get a job as the voice for Marge's sister on the Simpsons... or just sound like a really mean captain.
I have a killer cough. It feels like there is fluid in my lungs that refuses to evaporate or come out or just go away. It really sucks. Do I have pneumonia or something? I've had this cough for over a week and can't breathe deep without coughing upon exhalation. I had the same thing going on for 1 1/2 years after I developed chronic bronchitis. I suppose the key word there is CHRONIC. Then I took a yoga class a little over a year ago and focused on getting my breathing down better. I guess I'll have to do that again. My voice permanently became raspier after that first bronchial thing. Lately I sound like my aunts who've been smoking around 20 years each. Maybe later I can get a job as the voice for Marge's sister on the Simpsons... or just sound like a really mean captain.
I AM SO SICK
I was feeling kinda nauseous last week, then Thursday I developed a terrible wheezing cough. By Friday morning I was hot with fever and really achy. I called in sick to work and slept the entire day, but Jarad and I had won tickets to a show late Friday night at the Showbox and I went, even though I was hacking and weak and probably infecting everyone around me. The walk home from downtown at 1am was torture, and I ended up feverish or with chills throughout last night too. I spent all day today inside, shuffling around our tiny place, watching Angel. Right now I'm at the computer and perched over my rice cooker, which is serving as a makeshift humidifier. A little moisture in the bronchial tube keeps me from the pain that has been coming from just breathing. My aunt called today and said everyone's had this coughy flu thing and they've ended up in bed for at least a week each. I say screw that. My tried and true Pretend-I'm-Not-Sick method should get me through this. When I'm not hacking my brains out or passed out from exhaustion, that is. Needless to say, I WILL SEE OTTERS TOMORROW. And while I may not sing karaoke tomorrow night, I WILL watch my friends sing karaoke tomorrow night.
Somebody took video at the show last night: Here's Of Montreal!
Here's a video for a song of theirs that I really like:
And HERE is a refreshingly different performer - I liked her but Jarad didn't. In my opinion, if Conor Oberst was the girl from Postal Service (with similar beats at times) then you have The Blow:
Jarad, on the other hand, thought she was more like Wesley Willis.
Somebody took video at the show last night: Here's Of Montreal!
Here's a video for a song of theirs that I really like:
And HERE is a refreshingly different performer - I liked her but Jarad didn't. In my opinion, if Conor Oberst was the girl from Postal Service (with similar beats at times) then you have The Blow:
Jarad, on the other hand, thought she was more like Wesley Willis.
Blogger's TRUE STORIES - Garee Coalman
Jarad and Leanne did this thing where you set your iPod to shuffle and with each new song it adds to your Life Soundtrack - or somebody's life soundtrack. It doesn't have to be your own. It can be a made up one like this one I came up with based on my random playlist:
Opening Credits:
Hotel Arizona by Wilco
Garee Coalman - what we didn't see in Differnt Strokes or the Sureal Life...
Flash through a quick montage of Garee's days as a young stand up comedian on tour in Arizona. He's not very successful. We see him drowning himself in whiskey after each show and reminiscing his childhood.
Waking Up:
Black (unreleased) by Saul Williams
Born during a James Brown concert in LA, Garee's parents were proud members of the Blak Pantherz. They'd poured their hopes and dreams into this new strong son that they knew would carry on their legacy of righteousness. They tried to instill in him a connectedness to the earth and a fighting spirit.
First Day at School:
Cast in the Haze (Been There Four Days) by Of Montreal
Tiny Garee, buoyed for years by his strong and loving community of Pantherz, finds himself alone and exposed after a conspiracy against his parents landed them in prison and him in the Phoenix suburbs with a new, rich, white family. Funny how Differnt Strokes imitated this part of his life.
All this happened right around the time Garee started kindergarten. Here the young boy falls in love with Rose, a beautiful redhead. Yes, he was young and didn't really know the meaning of love, but this infatuation led to a string of mishaps with white girls... his parents, in their shame, disowned him for his cracker leanings.
Fight Song:
Jailhouse by Sublime
Over the next few years Garee grew angry over being such a disappointment to his birth parents. He was a rebel.
Breaking Up:
Why Can't You Be Nicer to Me by The White Stripes
Garee's small man complex affects every relationship. He treats all his girlfriends like crap and they all say the same thing. "Why can't you be nicer to me?" The truth is, he only wanted little Rosie.
Prom:
The Sounds of Science by The Beastie Boys
Strangely young Garee immersed himself in science and philosophy during his last few years at the white suburban high school. Little Rose had grown to become quite the bookworm (think Fred from Angel). In an attempt to finally be noticed by her, Garee dedicated his days to studying chemistry. It was in the lab, that, for a fleeting moment, Garee and Rose found a small bit of their own chemistry - or so he thought. That's when he asked Rose to Prom. She and Garee got hot and heavy next to the bunson burners. Rose, it turns out, liked to get freaky in the lab. But that was all the love she had for Garee... her little man curiosity was quickly satisfied.
Life:
Slob by Weezer
After being blown off by Rose, Garee gave up science, became depressed and called himself an Existentialist. Why bother with college? He laughed every time he looked in the mirror. What a joke he had become. Then something clicked. He was a joke. LIFE was a joke. He pulled a business card out of a dirty pair of jeans on the floor. It had been handed to him by a casting agent who had approached him at the mall, telling him how "cute" he was and how together they could make a fortune. Here he began a life of leisure, as long as he could carry off his famous line; "whatchoo talkin' bout..." yeah you know the rest.
After several years on Differnt Strokes, Garee went back to AZ to do stand up and was able to ride the coattails of his own Hollywood fame for awhile. But the little man was not very funny on his own. And he knew it. Garee was bitter. He hated people, and he hated being small.
Mental Breakdown:
The Miniature Philosopher by Of Montreal
In the style of Howard Hughes, Garee locked himself away to ponder life and the meaning of it all. He rented a yurt on a Dine' Reservation and remained in solitude for 3 years.
Driving:
The Truth by Handome Boy Modeling School
One day Garee had an epiphany: there might not be a point to life, but here he was, still alive. Might it be better to just remember the good times, try and make the best of it, to live life to it's fullest? He ran out of the yurt to his car, managed to start it up, and headed straight for the Hollywood Hills.
Flashback:
The Road by Tenacious D
On his drive to LA Garee thinks back over his life. All that time he'd been bitter - not appreciating crazy nights on his stand up tour - more redheads... the fire down below...
Wedding:
Goodbye Honey by Ryan Adams
Over before it began. Again. One heroin filled night during this quest to really enjoy life, Garee found Rose working a pole at a strip club in Compton. She may have gotten over her small-guy fetish but the truth is she went black and never went back. At first she liked the way the Compton boys roughed her up after each shift, but after awhile the bruising was bad for business. Seeing Garee again, Rose thought here was a brother she didn't have to fear. Garee plied her with much-craved valium, and the next morning they were awakened by a bellboy at the Rio in Vegas. Rose was swimming in mardi gras beads under a fake palm in the lobby. Garee reached in his pants and pulled out a piece of paper - a marriage license. He sat back, waiting for the drugs to wear off.
Rose left later that day and he didn't hear from her until 9 months later.
Birth of a Child:
You Tell Me by Johnny Cash
A letter arrives in the mail. Rose had a baby. It died.
Garee doesn't let all this drive him back to solitude. He tries to once more make a name for himself in Hollywood. Years passed by, publicity from The Sureal Life helped, and now Garee wanted to direct. He had a great idea..
Final Battle:
Holland, 1945 by Neutral Milk Hotel
Garee pitched a movie to a producer - it was all the crazy events in his life but set during World War II. A small black man in love and fighting the harshness of the world - this is how he saw himself. Garee's idea was crushed as no producer had any interest in his idea. Little Garee finally gave up. Rose was gone, he never once saw his child alive, and Hollywood didn't want him.
Death Scene:
Section 12 (Hold Me Now) by The Polyphonic Spree
Garee poured a bottle of sleeping pills onto a table. He grabbed 5 pills, put them in his mouth and washed them down with straight whiskey. Garee passes out but wakes up as his stomach is being pumped by a lovely redheaded nurse. It's Rose. She's rehabilitated and found God and achieved her nursing degree with the financial support of her new Fundy friends. It's too late for Garee, though. His consciousness is brief and his vision of Rose fades to black as his soul slips away from his mortal coil.
Funeral Song:
Down In A Second by Phantom Planet
In Garee's final comedic act, his casket was accidentally dropped into the grave.
End Credits:
Give My Love to Rose by Johnny Cash
Opening Credits:
Hotel Arizona by Wilco
Garee Coalman - what we didn't see in Differnt Strokes or the Sureal Life...
Flash through a quick montage of Garee's days as a young stand up comedian on tour in Arizona. He's not very successful. We see him drowning himself in whiskey after each show and reminiscing his childhood.
Waking Up:
Black (unreleased) by Saul Williams
Born during a James Brown concert in LA, Garee's parents were proud members of the Blak Pantherz. They'd poured their hopes and dreams into this new strong son that they knew would carry on their legacy of righteousness. They tried to instill in him a connectedness to the earth and a fighting spirit.
First Day at School:
Cast in the Haze (Been There Four Days) by Of Montreal
Tiny Garee, buoyed for years by his strong and loving community of Pantherz, finds himself alone and exposed after a conspiracy against his parents landed them in prison and him in the Phoenix suburbs with a new, rich, white family. Funny how Differnt Strokes imitated this part of his life.
All this happened right around the time Garee started kindergarten. Here the young boy falls in love with Rose, a beautiful redhead. Yes, he was young and didn't really know the meaning of love, but this infatuation led to a string of mishaps with white girls... his parents, in their shame, disowned him for his cracker leanings.
Fight Song:
Jailhouse by Sublime
Over the next few years Garee grew angry over being such a disappointment to his birth parents. He was a rebel.
Breaking Up:
Why Can't You Be Nicer to Me by The White Stripes
Garee's small man complex affects every relationship. He treats all his girlfriends like crap and they all say the same thing. "Why can't you be nicer to me?" The truth is, he only wanted little Rosie.
Prom:
The Sounds of Science by The Beastie Boys
Strangely young Garee immersed himself in science and philosophy during his last few years at the white suburban high school. Little Rose had grown to become quite the bookworm (think Fred from Angel). In an attempt to finally be noticed by her, Garee dedicated his days to studying chemistry. It was in the lab, that, for a fleeting moment, Garee and Rose found a small bit of their own chemistry - or so he thought. That's when he asked Rose to Prom. She and Garee got hot and heavy next to the bunson burners. Rose, it turns out, liked to get freaky in the lab. But that was all the love she had for Garee... her little man curiosity was quickly satisfied.
Life:
Slob by Weezer
After being blown off by Rose, Garee gave up science, became depressed and called himself an Existentialist. Why bother with college? He laughed every time he looked in the mirror. What a joke he had become. Then something clicked. He was a joke. LIFE was a joke. He pulled a business card out of a dirty pair of jeans on the floor. It had been handed to him by a casting agent who had approached him at the mall, telling him how "cute" he was and how together they could make a fortune. Here he began a life of leisure, as long as he could carry off his famous line; "whatchoo talkin' bout..." yeah you know the rest.
After several years on Differnt Strokes, Garee went back to AZ to do stand up and was able to ride the coattails of his own Hollywood fame for awhile. But the little man was not very funny on his own. And he knew it. Garee was bitter. He hated people, and he hated being small.
Mental Breakdown:
The Miniature Philosopher by Of Montreal
In the style of Howard Hughes, Garee locked himself away to ponder life and the meaning of it all. He rented a yurt on a Dine' Reservation and remained in solitude for 3 years.
Driving:
The Truth by Handome Boy Modeling School
One day Garee had an epiphany: there might not be a point to life, but here he was, still alive. Might it be better to just remember the good times, try and make the best of it, to live life to it's fullest? He ran out of the yurt to his car, managed to start it up, and headed straight for the Hollywood Hills.
Flashback:
The Road by Tenacious D
On his drive to LA Garee thinks back over his life. All that time he'd been bitter - not appreciating crazy nights on his stand up tour - more redheads... the fire down below...
Wedding:
Goodbye Honey by Ryan Adams
Over before it began. Again. One heroin filled night during this quest to really enjoy life, Garee found Rose working a pole at a strip club in Compton. She may have gotten over her small-guy fetish but the truth is she went black and never went back. At first she liked the way the Compton boys roughed her up after each shift, but after awhile the bruising was bad for business. Seeing Garee again, Rose thought here was a brother she didn't have to fear. Garee plied her with much-craved valium, and the next morning they were awakened by a bellboy at the Rio in Vegas. Rose was swimming in mardi gras beads under a fake palm in the lobby. Garee reached in his pants and pulled out a piece of paper - a marriage license. He sat back, waiting for the drugs to wear off.
Rose left later that day and he didn't hear from her until 9 months later.
Birth of a Child:
You Tell Me by Johnny Cash
A letter arrives in the mail. Rose had a baby. It died.
Garee doesn't let all this drive him back to solitude. He tries to once more make a name for himself in Hollywood. Years passed by, publicity from The Sureal Life helped, and now Garee wanted to direct. He had a great idea..
Final Battle:
Holland, 1945 by Neutral Milk Hotel
Garee pitched a movie to a producer - it was all the crazy events in his life but set during World War II. A small black man in love and fighting the harshness of the world - this is how he saw himself. Garee's idea was crushed as no producer had any interest in his idea. Little Garee finally gave up. Rose was gone, he never once saw his child alive, and Hollywood didn't want him.
Death Scene:
Section 12 (Hold Me Now) by The Polyphonic Spree
Garee poured a bottle of sleeping pills onto a table. He grabbed 5 pills, put them in his mouth and washed them down with straight whiskey. Garee passes out but wakes up as his stomach is being pumped by a lovely redheaded nurse. It's Rose. She's rehabilitated and found God and achieved her nursing degree with the financial support of her new Fundy friends. It's too late for Garee, though. His consciousness is brief and his vision of Rose fades to black as his soul slips away from his mortal coil.
Funeral Song:
Down In A Second by Phantom Planet
In Garee's final comedic act, his casket was accidentally dropped into the grave.
End Credits:
Give My Love to Rose by Johnny Cash
Free Lattes
Kirkland guy started a cafe where you Pay What You Can.
"he figures he can finesse the largesse of well-off latte lovers to cover the tabs of the less fortunate." - The Seattle Times 2/6/07
www.terrabite.org
Though we all know that Kirkland probably has, like, one, maybe two, low income residents... I still think it's an awesome idea.
"he figures he can finesse the largesse of well-off latte lovers to cover the tabs of the less fortunate." - The Seattle Times 2/6/07
www.terrabite.org
Though we all know that Kirkland probably has, like, one, maybe two, low income residents... I still think it's an awesome idea.
Creepy Guy
So get this, my friend has a stalker and his name is Louis. After a year of her going through a ton of crap with him, and thinking he's finally over her, this guy links through her myspace friend list to my "jack tar" myspace profile and decides to contact me via not only the contact email I've posted, but also via letter to my magazine address. He says he's coming to Seattle and wants three copies of my magazine. This guy is in no way involved with traditional maritime stuff. What a creepy psycho dude.
THIS IS WHY I KEEP MY PROFILE PRIVATE. It's bad enough that this blog is open to public viewing.
THIS IS WHY I KEEP MY PROFILE PRIVATE. It's bad enough that this blog is open to public viewing.
